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30 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Computer Science 2017

As the cost of college has continued to rise, many prospective students have become cost-conscious as they choose the colleges to which they will apply.

Many people are also looking for online programs to save money on their education. These type of programs lower the cost of college because students don’t have to move to a physical campus. This is particularly useful for working adults as they can continue to hold their job while earning their degree.

To help individuals with their search for an online degree at a reasonable cost, we ranked the top 30 online bachelor’s degree programs in computer science by annual tuition.

For a school to be chosen for this affordability ranking, it had to be accredited regionally. It is considered the most reputable form of accreditation for higher education institutions. This type of accreditation is recognized by employers and should you choose to enroll in graduate studies in the future, undergraduate degrees from regionally accredited schools are recognized by graduate schools.

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is public institution located between Kansas City and Denver in the city of Hays, Kansas. The school tied for 15th in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of online bachelor’s degrees. FHSU has an enrollment of over 8,500 online students.

Online Program Overview

The online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from FHSU teaches students the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to succeed in the technical workforce. Students learn about operating systems, programming languages, algorithm design, and software engineering.

Along with the 39 semester credit hours for the computer science major, students choose from two emphasis tracks requiring 24 credit hours: Business and Networking. The Business track covers topics such as accounting and management information systems while the Networking track includes classes on internetworking and data communications.

Founded in 1854, Central Methodist University, or CMU, is a private liberal arts school that offers online undergraduate degree completion programs in various majors. The institution tied for 26th in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of regional colleges in the Midwest.

Online Program Overview

CMU offers both an online Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. Students of either program will become competent in at least one programming language that is widely used by employers. Also, students are prepared for graduate programs in the field.

Major classes include Database Systems and SQL, Computer Architecture and Operating Systems, and Data Structures and Algorithms. Students can also learn about web page design and game programming. CMU’s online courses take 8 or 16 weeks to complete.

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) was established in 1972 in New Jersey to help nontraditional students earn a college education. In fact, the university caters only to adult students. TESU offers online classes in a variety of formats geared to different learning styles.

Online Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Thomas Edison State University requires 120 semester hours to finish. Students can choose from elective courses such as Computer Information Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and UNIX. Students may be able to earn credit hours to fulfill course requirements by passing exams or submitting a relevant portfolio for assessment. Also, licenses, work experience, and military training may be applied as credit to the degree program.

The estimated annual tuition for New Jersey residents is $6,350, a savings of $3,002.

With over 60,000 online learners, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has one of the largest distance learning enrollments in the nation. SNHU is a private, nonprofit institution. It was named the most innovative school among regional universities in the North in U.S. News and World Report’s school rankings.

Online Program Overview

Students in SNHU’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree program learn how to use in-demand programming languages like Python and C++ to create effective software. Also, they are exposed to real-world operating systems and development platforms to prepare them for career success.

With short eight-week terms, SNHU provides flexible course scheduling. You can start the program soon without waiting months before your first course.

Southern New Hampshire University’s online bachelor’s programs tied for 132nd place in U.S. News and World Report’s online education rankings.

Founded in 1971, SUNY (State University of New York System) Empire State College exists to serve working adults with nontraditional teaching methods including online courses. The school awards credits for relevant work experience to help students earn their degree faster and save money.

The school’s degrees are customizable, allowing you to take courses based on your career goals. Faculty mentors are available to guide you in designing a degree program that meets your needs. Upon graduation, online students receive the same diploma as on-campus students.

New York residents pay an estimated $8,370 yearly for tuition, a discount of $1,643.

Troy University is a public university founded in 1887 and located in Troy, Alabama. The school tied for 69th in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of regional universities in the South. Among public institutions in the category, Troy University was rated 23rd.

Online Program Overview

Troy University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science that teaches students how to develop software including games, smartphone apps, and web-based programs. The degree program prepares you to succeed in jobs such as system analyst and computer programmer.

The requirements for the major are 12 three-credit courses. Students learn about data structures, databases, and operating systems. They can choose elective courses in networking, computer security, and business systems programming.

The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) is a public liberal arts school. The university tied for 63rd place in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of regional universities in the Midwest. Among public institutions in that category, UIS received a top 15 ranking.

Online Program Overview

The online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from UIS is a 120 credit hour degree program. Entry into the program requires two semesters of Java programming and a semester of calculus, discrete or finite math, and statistics. UIS offers online courses that meet these requirements for applicants that need them.

Major courses cover relevant topics for the workplace including algorithms, software engineering, and computer organization. The online bachelor programs from UIS tied for 54th place in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of online education.

Old Dominion University is a public research university in Norfolk, Virginia. It received a ranking of 118th from U.S. News and World Report in the category, Top Public Schools (National Universities). The University has graduated over 13,500 online students since it started offering online programs.

Online Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Old Dominion University emphasizes math and science to produce graduates that are able to make a strong impact in the workplace. Students in the program are prepared to work in industries such as database development and network administration.

ODU offers over 100 online programs. Its online bachelor programs were ranked 63rd by U.S. News and World Report.

Virginia residents get a slight discount in annual tuition. They pay an estimated $9,750 per year and save around $900.

Trident University International (TUI) is a 100% online private for-profit institution focused on serving adult students. More than 90% of its undergraduate students are older than 24 years old. The school was founded in 1998 and has graduated over 28,000 alumni.

Online Program Overview

TUI’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is a 120 credit program that uses case studies based on real-life scenarios instead of traditional testing methods to teach students the various subjects. Core classes include Computer System Architecture, Human Computer Interaction, and Advanced Programming Topics.

Students can choose to add a cyber security concentration to their program by taking three four-credit courses about wireless hybrid networks, cryptography, and network security. TUI holds membership in Cyber Watch West, a government program designed to improve the state of cyber security.

In the category, Regional Universities Midwest, Dakota State University (DSU) was ranked 108th by U.S. News and World Report. Among public institutions in the category, DSU tied for 32nd. The school is located in Madison, South Dakota and was founded in 1881.

Online Program Overview

The faculty that teaches the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from DSU brings a wealth of knowledge to the field. All the professors in the program have earned PhDs in computer science.

Many DSU faculty bring a unique collaboration between online and on-campus students by assigning them projects that they work on together. Also, online classes are often held at the same time as its on-campus counterparts.

South Dakota residents get a discount in tuition. Their estimated annual tuition is $10,001, a savings of $1,496.

Established in 1875, Park University is a private, nonprofit school that uses interactive courses to deliver its online programs. The school placed third in Washington Monthly’s rankings of four-year colleges for adult students. The publication gave Park high marks for its services to adult learners.

Online Program Overview

Park University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science. Students learn about discrete math, programming fundamentals and concepts, and managing information systems in the core classes.

The following specialty areas are available for study: computer science, software engineering, data management, and networking and security. These concentrations take between 23 to 28 credit hours to complete. To graduate from the program, students must complete at least 120 semester hours.

Park’s online bachelor’s programs were rated 220th by U.S. News and World Report.

Regent University is a private, nonprofit, Christian institution in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school is classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a doctoral university with moderate research activity. Regent’s online bachelor’s degrees received a top 40 ranking from U.S. News and World Report.

Online Program Overview

Regent University’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science teaches students how to solve tough computer problems like those they may encounter in the workplace. The major consists of eight courses including Parallel and Distributive Programming, Ethics for Computer Science, and Mobile and Smart Computing. Also, students must take three classes on Calculus to fulfill the math requirements.

Working professionals and adult students in the program usually take courses that last eight weeks. The university was rated 164th in Washington Monthly’s rankings of national universities.

Baker College is the largest not-for-profit college in Michigan and one of the largest private colleges in the nation with close to 35,000 students. The institution is a vocational school and its administrators believe that getting a degree should result in a great career.

Online Program Overview

The Bachelor of Computer Science program from Baker College requires 195 quarter credit hours to complete. The major classes cover programming languages including SQL, C++, and C#. Also, students learn about unit testing, microprocessor electronics, and programming for mobile devices.

Baker has an automatic acceptance policy for admissions. Specifically, this means you can be admitted into the school with just a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Rasmussen College is a private for-profit school. It is the first institution in higher education to become Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). Under this corporate status, Rasmussen provides services that benefit the local communities where its campuses are located including matching companies with qualified employees.

Online Program Overview

Rasmussen’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is an accelerated degree completion program. To qualify for admission, students must have an accredited associate’s degree or successfully finish 60 semester credits hours (or 90 quarter hours) with a grade C or higher.

The program contains courses on business intelligence, cloud computing, and web analytics. Students may specialize in Apple iOS or Universal Windows app development. Graduates from Rasmussen’s School of Technology have worked at reputable companies including Best Buy, Microsoft, Target Corporation, and Verizon Wireless.

Founded in 1845, Limestone College is a private liberal arts college in Gaffney, South Carolina. The school is a Christian non-denominational institution with a total enrollment of over 3,500 students including around 2,500 nontraditional students who take classes at night or online.

Online Program Overview

Limestone College offers an online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science through its Extended Campus. The degree program includes courses about imperative programming, networking fundamentals, and microcomputer applications.

Students choose from four concentrations: Computer and Information System Security, Information Technology, Programming, and Web Development and Database.

Courses run in eight-week terms with six terms in a year. Students can enroll in two courses each term to earn 36 semester credit hours for the year. 123 hours are required to graduate from the program.

Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP) is a private liberal arts institution. The school is a member of the Concordia University System, which is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a Christian denomination. CSP tied for 103rd in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of regional universities in the Midwest.

Courses last for seven weeks and 128 credits are required to complete the degree.

In the category, Best Colleges for Adult Learners – 4 Year Colleges, CSP earned the 4th place ranking from Washington Monthly. U.S. News and World Report gave the university a ranking of 81st for their online bachelor’s degree programs.

Lakeland University is a private liberal arts university related to the United Church of Christ. Located in Plymouth, Wisconsin, the school has close to 3,500 students including 2,600 nontraditional students that take courses at night, on the weekend, and/or online.

Online Program Overview

For those who want to customize their online computer science degree, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Lakeland is an option. Students in the program choose from three areas of emphasis: Information Systems, Software Design, and Computer Science. The first two concentrations include nine semester hours of electives while the Computer Science concentration consists of 27-28 hours, all of which are elective classes.

Saint Leo University is a private, not-for-profit, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Catholic Church. According to Washington Monthly, the university is among the top 50 four year colleges for adult students. In Fall 2016, Saint Leo enrolled over 2,700 online students through its Center for Online Learning.

Online Program Overview

Students of Saint Leo’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science learn the fundamentals of the industry with courses about algorithms, database concepts, and programming. Also, they become exposed to artificial intelligence, a cutting edge field in computing.

The Information Assurance specialization is a requirement to graduate. This area of emphasis teaches students about various forms of security in information technology.

U.S. News and World Report rated Saint Leo 62nd in the Regional Universities South category. The publisher gave the university a ranking of 59th for its online bachelor’s degrees.

University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is one of the largest public universities in the United States. The institution specializes in providing online education to busy professionals. UMUC placed 53rd in Washington Monthly’s rankings of top four-year colleges for adult students.

Online Program Overview

UMUC’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science consists of multiple programming classes to prepare students to succeed in the workplace. Students also take two classes (eight semester credit hours) of calculus.

Through its Center for Innovation in Learning and Student Success, UMUC is active in researching and developing new learning models and methods to increase engagement within the online classroom and improve student outcomes.

Maryland residents get a substantial tuition discount. They pay an estimated annual tuition of $8,520, a savings of $6,450.

California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) tied for 58th in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings in the Regional Universities West category. It placed 13th among public institutions in the category. The school is located in cities of Marina and Seaside in the state of California.

Online Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from CSUMB is a cohort-based degree completion program. The cohort size is only 25-35 students so students can receive more personalized teaching and advice from professors and advisors. Also, students join a video conference every week to interact with faculty and other students.

The curriculum includes courses in internet programming, software design, and database systems. To graduate from the program, students must create a portfolio and complete a capstone project, which they can show to employers to improve job search prospects.

Southern University and A&M College (SU) is a historically black public college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. U.S. News and Report gave the university a Tier 2 ranking and classified it in the category, Regional Universities South. SU is the flagship school of the Southern University System.

Online Program Overview

Students in SU’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree program can choose from exciting courses including Scientific Computing, Video Game Programming, and Introduction to Neural Networks. 120 semester hours are required for graduation.

The instructors are involved in research in the field, which keeps them up to date with developments in the computer science industry. Students can interact with the faculty through email, chat, and discussion boards.

The estimated annual tuition for Louisiana residents is $8,100, a savings of $7,374.

Founded in 1902, Franklin University is a private nonprofit university located in Columbus, Ohio. The school focuses on providing higher education programs to adult students. The average age of a Franklin student is in the early 30s and all of Franklin’s degree programs can be earned online.

Online Program Overview

With practical classes that simulate real-world projects in the workplace, Franklin University’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science prepares students for career success. Also, students in the program learn the theory behind foundational computer science concepts like object-oriented design, testing, and algorithms.

The University provides flexible course scheduling. Students can take classes that last 6, 12, or 15 weeks and multiple start dates are available.

Franklin’s total enrollment is close to 10,000 students. The majority of them work full-time while earning their degree.

Regis University is a private nonprofit institution located in Denver, Colorado. The university is affiliated with the Jesuit religion order of the Roman Catholic church. Regis placed in the top 25 of U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of regional universities in the West.

Online Program Overview

Regis University’s online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is the only online computer science degree program accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). ABET is one of most reputable accreditors of programs in computing and engineering.

National University is a private, nonprofit university with headquarters in La Jolla, California. The university has several regional campuses throughout California, one campus in Nevada, and multiple locations in San Diego County. National enrolls 30,000 students yearly, and more than 150,000 alumni have graduated from its programs.

Online Program Overview

National University offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science that requires 180 quarter credit hours to complete. 70.5 of those hours must come from the school to graduate. The curriculum covers discrete structures, computer architecture, programming languages, database design, and other topics to prepare students for employment in the computer science industry.

Washington Monthly gave National the 33rd ranking in its list of top four-year schools for adult students. The university’s online bachelor’s programs were rated 119th by U.S. News and World Report.

The University of Florida, or UF, is a public research university located in Gainesville, Florida. The school is classified in the category, Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity, by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UF has an undergraduate enrollment of more than 35,000 students.

Online Program Overview

The University of Florida offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science that teaches students about programming, data structures, operating systems, and other relevant subjects.

The university was included in The Princeton Review’s Colleges That Create Futures, a list of 50 schools that help students apply their talents in practical ways to complement their coursework. UF’s online bachelor’s programs were ranked 20th by U.S. News and World Report.

Florida residents get a huge discount on tuition. Their estimated annual tuition is only $3,875, a savings of $12,704.

Formerly affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, Mercy College is a nonsectarian, nonprofit, private, liberal arts institution in the state of New York. The college has campuses in Dobbs Ferry (main campus), Manhattan, Bronx, and Yorktown Heights. Mercy offers 40 online degree programs.

Online Program Overview

In the Bachelor of Science degree in the Computer Science program at Mercy College, students learn how to program in Java and C++, two programming languages that are widely used by employers. Also, students gain experience in team settings by working with their peers for a whole semester to complete a software project.

The coursework requirements for the major include two classes in calculus, two in algorithms, two in software engineering, and an artificial intelligence class. 120 semester hours are required for graduation.

Located in Romeoville, Illinois, Lewis University is a private university affiliated with the Roman Catholic church. The school tied for 24th place in U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of regional universities in the Midwest. Among that group of universities, Lewis was named a Best Value School by U.S. News.

Online Program Overview

Lewis University offers an accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. The program teaches relevant skills like writing software in popular programming languages (such as JavaScript, Ruby, and Python), designing secure networks, and incorporating artificial intelligence in applications.

Courses run for eight weeks, and class size is small to foster a solid learning environment. Students with prior programming experience may qualify for college credit through an evaluation process called Prior Learning Assessment.

Lewis University made The Princeton Review’s list of top 156 schools in the Midwest.

Lamar University is a public research university operated by the state of Texas. The university is classified in the category, Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity, by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Lamar is located in the city of Beaumont.

Through Lamar’s Division of Distance Learning, students take online classes in accelerated eight-week terms or traditional 15-week semester terms. The school tied for 68th in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of online bachelor’s programs.

Texas residents receive a substantial discount on annual tuition. They pay an estimated $7,080, a savings of $12,240.

Oregon State University, or OSU, is a public research university in Corvallis, Oregon. OSU is classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a doctoral university with the highest level of research activity. The school has an enrollment of over 25,000 undergraduates.

Online Program Overview

Through its School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, OSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Sample course topics include data structures, software engineering, usability, and mobile development. 60 credit hours of major classes are required to graduate.

Washington Monthly and U.S. News and World Report ranked OSU 75th and 143rd, respectively, in the category, National Universities. The school received a stellar 8th place ranking from U.S. News for its online bachelor’s degrees.

Florida State University (FSU) is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. The school is classified in the category, Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity, by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. FSU was rated 92nd in the school grouping, National Universities, by U.S. News and World Report.

Online Program Overview

Student outcomes for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from FSU include becoming skilled at programming in assembly language, C, and C++.

FSU’s online bachelor’s programs were ranked 36th by U.S. News and World Report. The Princeton Review included the school in these lists: The Best 381 Colleges, Best Southeastern Colleges, Colleges That Pay You Back, and Best Alumni Network.

Florida residents receive substantial savings in annual tuition. They pay an estimated $6,467, which is $15,166 less than the annual tuition for nonresidents.